Martha was born March 15, 1927 in Joplin, Mo., the daughter of Warren Richard Sowersby and Gracie Greer Clark Sowersby. She attended public schools in Joplin and Golden City, and she graduated from Golden City High School in 1945. She married James Nutt on July 19, 1945 in Columbus, Kan. He preceded her in death on Nov. 23, 1997.